[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 119 (Monday, August 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION ON THE TERRITORIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the ``Territories 
Economic Development Opportunity Act,'' a bill which would amend Title 
23 of United States Code, to provide for the participation of the 
territories in Federal-aid highway discretionary programs. The bill 
provides a statutory fix to redress an inequity in transportation 
funding options for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
  I thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the U.S. 
Virgin Islands; Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa; and 
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, for their cosponsorship of this important 
legislation. The ``Territories Economic Development Opportunity Act'' 
ensures that our jurisdictions are able to compete for discretionary 
programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 
Currently, the jurisdictions of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not 
eligible to compete for funding under the National Bridge Program or 
the Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities program. This legislation 
would make the territories eligible to compete under these 
discretionary funding accounts.
  Economic development and facilitation of commerce in each of these 
jurisdictions is important. On Guam, a safe and comprehensive road 
network is important to facilitating improvements in our tourism 
industry. It is also important for the transport of military equipment 
and personnel from Andersen Air Force Base to Navy Base Guam. Without a 
well developed and maintained road network, these industries on Guam 
would be difficult to sustain. Therefore, a stronger infrastructure 
network is important to maintaining and expanding these economic 
lynchpins of Guam's economy.
  However, in an era of declining budgets and given the current planned 
reductions in discretionary spending (according to the current deficit 
that will be voted on today by the House of Representatives), it is 
prudent and responsible to ensure that the territories have the same 
opportunity as any other jurisdiction to compete for discretionary 
funding to improve their infrastructure systems. Each of our 
territories has a unique economic situation but we all recognize the 
importance of having a robust infrastructure system to facilitate 
commerce and economic opportunities in each of our jurisdictions. For 
example, on Guam, as the realignment of military forces begins 
implementation, it may be necessary to develop a ferry system so that 
civilians and military alike can go between Guam and ports within the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In any of the 50 states, 
the development of a ferry system could be aided, in part, by federal 
funding through the Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities Program. 
However, this would not be possible on Guam or any of the other smaller 
territories.
  Further, major bridge projects on Guam like the Ylig Bridge 
Replacement or the Route 4 Bridge repairs are not eligible for 
competitive funding under the National Bridge Program. Instead, such 
projects must solely be funded through the Territorial Highway Program. 
Given the scope and cost of many of these projects, other road projects 
are deferred or go unfunded. Thus, it is important to give the small 
territories the same opportunity to compete for this critical funding 
as any one of the 50 states.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill allows us to begin a discussion about the 
treatment of the territories in any forthcoming development of a 
surface transportation reauthorization bill. In an era of tight 
budgets, it is only fair and right to allow Guam, American Samoa, the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands to compete for critical infrastructure funding that will help 
to develop economic opportunities and facilitate commerce in each of 
our respective jurisdictions.

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